1985 Map of Potrillo

About this map

Potrillo sits on the high desert plains of the borderlands, positioned just north of the international boundary between the United States of America and Mexico. This 1985 survey captures a stark landscape defined by the East Potrillo Mountains which rise sharply in the west, while the cinder cone of El Volcan stands isolated to the south across the border in Chihuahua. Evidence of ranching and water management in this arid environment is visible through features like Gerrys Tank, a critical landmark for local navigation and land use. The map illustrates the geometric precision of the New Mexico principal meridian as it intersects the rugged Chihuahuan Desert terrain of Doña Ana County.